On this day, 15 June 2001, one of the greatest films in Indian cinema was released. It has been twenty-five years since Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India first graced the screen, yet the film continues to live in the hearts of people across generations. More than just a movie, Lagaan became an emotion — a philosophy, and for many, a mirror through which they still see India, society, and even themselves.

As Lagaan completes 25 remarkable years, it is a moment to celebrate and congratulate everyone who made this cinematic masterpiece possible. The unforgettable performances by Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Paul Blackthorne, and the entire cast gave the film its heart and soul, while Ashutosh Gowariker’s vision as writer and director transformed a simple story into an inspiring tale of courage, unity, and hope. Producers Aamir Khan and Reena Dutta played a vital role in bringing this ambitious dream to life.

The music by A. R. Rahman and lyrics by Javed Akhtar added emotional depth, while singers like Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Lata Mangeshkar, Srinivas, Sukhwinder Singh, Asha Bhosle, and many others turned the soundtrack into timeless memories cherished across generations. While many of the talented artists and creators continue to inspire us, we also remember with gratitude those who are no longer with us, whose contributions remain immortal through the film. Congratulations to the entire Lagaan family on completing 25 glorious years — a legacy that continues to live in the hearts of audiences around the world.

It remains one of the greatest films ever made in Indian cinema — a masterpiece that contains almost everything within it: history, struggle, humanity, unity, environment, nature, psychology, spirituality, philosophy, music, love, fun, comedy, leadership, sacrifice, injustice, hope, and courage.

Even after all these years, Lagaan continues to inspire and move people, reminding us of the power of resilience, togetherness, and belief against all odds. It shows what can happen when good-hearted, truthful, and wise souls come together with a shared purpose.

(Set in 1893 during British colonial rule, Lagaan tells the story of Champaner, a small drought-stricken village where farmers struggle to survive under crushing taxes imposed by the British administration. With no rain, empty fields, dying crops, hunger, and uncertainty, the villagers already face unbearable suffering. Yet their misery worsens when Captain Andrew Russell, an arrogant British officer, imposes “teen guna lagaan” — triple tax — after Bhuvan, a courageous young villager, unintentionally challenges British authority.

What follows is one of the most inspiring stories in Indian cinema. Captain Russell gives the villagers an impossible challenge: if they can defeat the British officers in a game of cricket — a sport they have never even played — their taxes will be waived for three years. But if they lose, they must pay triple tax. Against fear, doubt, division, and overwhelming odds, Bhuvan slowly unites the villagers into a team. Farmers, Kumhars (potters), people from different castes, religions, personalities, and social backgrounds come together for one purpose — justice.)

On one level, Lagaan appears to be a sports drama, a period film, or historical fiction. But twenty-five years later, one question still remains: Was Lagaan really only about the past, or does it continue to hold a mirror to present-day India?

Some films entertain us. Some inspire us. But very few films truly connect with people through emotions, memories, and philosophies that remain alive across generations. Lagaan is one such film. It connected with audiences not merely because of cricket, songs, or memorable performances, but because it reflected human life itself — trust, greed, ego, love, fear, faith, unity, hope, over excitement, proud, betrayal, leadership, spirituality, courage, injustice, sacrifice, untouchability, humanity, and the power of ordinary people standing together.

Perhaps the biggest reason the film still connects with people is because every character feels real. Even after twenty-five years, we continue to see these personalities around us — in families, workplaces, villages, cities, politics, institutions, and society itself. In many ways, Lagaan becomes a mirror asking us a difficult question:

Which character are we?

The Characters of Lagaan

• Bhuvan (Aamir Khan) — Courage, leadership, questioning injustice, unity, self-confidence.
  Bhuvan teaches us to stand against unfairness, unite people rather than divide them, and believe in ourselves even when the odds are impossible. Present-day India still needs more Bhuvans — young people who can spread awareness, ask difficult questions respectfully, motivate others, and stand for justice peacefully.

• Gauri (Gracy Singh) — Faith, love, loyalty, emotional support. Gauri represents those people who quietly stand beside good causes and good people. She reminds us that emotional support is also strength.

• Maa (Suhasini Mulay) — Sacrifice, family values, unconditional love. Bhuvan’s mother reflects the emotional foundation of Indian homes — sacrifice without expectations.

• Elizabeth (Rachel Shelley) — Humanity beyond religion, nationality, and identity. Despite belonging to the British side, she chooses compassion over power. Her role reminds us that humanity has no religion, caste, nationality, or boundaries.
  
• Ismail (Raj Zutshi) — Religious harmony and coexistence. A Muslim elder standing shoulder to shoulder with Hindu villagers reminds us that unity beyond religion is India’s greatest strength.
  
• Deva Singh Sodhi (Pradeep Rawat) — Courage, discipline, resilience. He symbolizes like a Sikh warrior standing strong even in adversity.
  
• Kachra (Aditya Lakhia) — Inclusion and anti-untouchability. Rejected by society because of caste, Kachra eventually becomes one of the strongest reasons for victory. The lesson remains relevant: societies grow stronger when everyone is included.
  
• Lakha (Yashpal Sharma) — Greed, betrayal, jealousy, but also redemption. Lakha represents people who sometimes side with power for selfish reasons, yet his redemption reminds us people can change.
  
• Bagha, Guran, Bhura, Arjan and the villagers — Diversity, simplicity, faith, hard work, teamwork. The team succeeds because everyone contributes differently. Victory becomes possible only through collective effort.

And then comes the most important question the film quietly asks us: Who are we today?

• Are we a Bhuvan standing for courage?
• A Gauri supporting goodness?
• An Ismail protecting unity?
• A Kachra fighting exclusion?
• Or a Lakha learning from mistakes?

The songs of Lagaan also deserve special mention because they were never just songs — they became philosophies of life.

Songs of Lagaan:

• Ghanan Ghanan— Hope during hardship. The villagers waiting for rain reflects drought, farming struggles, dependence on nature, and collective hope.
  
• Mitwa— Self-belief and inner strength. One of the film’s most philosophical songs, reminding people not to surrender before difficulties and to trust themselves.
  
• Chale Chalo— Perseverance and teamwork. A motivational anthem teaching resilience, discipline, and collective struggle.
  
• O Paalanhaare— Faith and spirituality. A reminder that even during suffering, people seek strength through faith.
  
• Radha Kaise Na Jale— Love, jealousy, and emotional relationships. Reflecting the human side of emotions beautifully.
  
• O Rey Chhori— Emotional conflict and relationships. Representing changing emotions, affection, and connection.

The Risk Taken in the Film — And in Real Life by the Entire Team

What people often forget is that Lagaan itself was a massive gamble. At a time when commercial cinema followed formulas, making a long historical sports drama set in rural India with cricket at its center was considered risky. Many believed such a film would fail. Yet the entire team took a leap of faith. The actors, technicians, musicians, writers, villagers of Bhuj, and everyone behind the scenes gave everything they had.

In many ways, the making of Lagaan reflected the same struggle shown in the movie. Just like the villagers risked everything to defeat the British, the filmmakers risked careers, money, reputation, resources, and years of effort to make something meaningful. That unity, hard work, discipline, and belief eventually made Lagaan one of Indian cinema’s greatest achievements.

Chale Chalo: The Documentary That Showed the Real Lagaan

The making of Lagaan was beautifully documented in Chale Chalo, directed by Satyajit Bhatkal. The documentary reveals the enormous challenges behind the film — harsh weather, budget concerns, logistical struggles, pressure, uncertainty, and the emotional toll on the team. Yet what shines throughout is teamwork and collective belief. Perhaps the most emotional line from the documentary comes near the end:

“Hum film banane nikle the, par ek film ne hume bana diya.” (We set out to make a film, but the film ended up making us.)

That sentence perhaps applies not only to the people who made Lagaan, but to millions of Indians who grew up emotionally connected to the film.

The Mohun Bagan 1911 and Egaro (2011)

Interestingly, the spirit of Lagaan was not entirely fictional. Indian history itself witnessed similar moments of collective courage and resistance. One such forgotten chapter is the legendary victory of Mohun Bagan Super Giant over the East Yorkshire Regiment on 29 July 1911.

Barefoot Indian footballers — many playing without proper gear, some even wearing folded dhotis, and with only one player reportedly using boots — defeated a British military team backed by uniforms, infrastructure, institutional support, and colonial privilege. It was not just a football match; it became a symbol of confidence, dignity, and resistance against imperial superiority.

People crossed barriers of caste, language, religion, and class to support the team. Much like Lagaan, unity became strength. Later that same year, in December 1911, the British shifted the capital of British India from Kolkata (then Calcutta) to Delhi during a period of growing nationalist energy and political pressure.

Yet, surprisingly, many Indians still know very little about this historic story. The Bengali film Egaro beautifully portrayed this remarkable chapter of history. In many ways, Egaro feels like the real football version of Lagaan — where sport became a peaceful battlefield against colonial power.

Hopefully, in the future, Bollywood will bring this inspiring story to a wider audience. Just as Lagaan inspired many Indians to take up cricket, a powerful film on the 1911 Mohun Bagan victory could inspire younger generations to embrace football. Perhaps someday, a production house like Aamir Khan Productions may take up this story and create a truly memorable film.

25 Years of Aamir Khan Productions

In many ways, Aamir Khan’s journey after Lagaan reflects a deeper understanding of society and systems. Through nearly 25 years of Aamir Khan Productions, he gradually became an independent filmmaker who seemed to understand how society works, what people connect with, and how cinema can influence change. After Lagaan, Aamir appeared to recognize an important truth — that films are not just entertainment; they can connect people, shape conversations, and create social awareness. He understood how to work within the system while still trying to contribute meaningfully to society. Rather than simply following trends, he chose stories and projects that could make people think.

Through Satyamev Jayate, he brought difficult conversations into Indian households, discussing issues such as healthcare, social injustice, women’s safety, water scarcity, and rural struggles. In many ways, he used his influence to help people understand realities that often remain ignored.

Later, through the Paani Foundation, Aamir Khan and his team focused on one of the most fundamental issues in India — water. Rainwater harvesting, watershed management, helping farmers, preserving water, and empowering villages became central to this effort. There is something poetic about this connection: in Lagaan, villagers struggled for rain and survival, while in real life, Aamir still working with farmers on preserving water and supporting rural communities.

What stands out is that he focused quietly on something basic yet essential. Instead of trying to change everything at once, he concentrated on one thing: water comes first, farmers matter, and food begins with nature.

Perhaps this also raises a question for all of us: What is our contribution to society? Whatever field we are in, we can ask ourselves: With my knowledge, talent and understanding of systems, How can I help people? Real contribution may not always be loud. Sometimes, quietly doing meaningful work in our own field can create lasting impact.

There is nOne like Aamir Khan — he is a rare gem, a gift to Indian cinema and, in many ways, a gift to India itself. But if we want more people like him, the answer is to become one in our own field, contributing with hardwork, sincerity, talent, and purpose. One beautiful possibility for the future could be an Aamir Khan Acting School, where he shares what he has learned about acting, storytelling, filmmaking, and meaningful cinema with younger generations. By nurturing young talent early, perhaps future actors and filmmakers can emerge who not only entertain but also create films that impact society in a positive way.

LAGAAN: At the present time in India

Twenty-five years after its release, Lagaan still feels relevant — not just as cinema, but as a reflection of society, values, and resilience. More than a sports drama, it captured emotions that continue to resonate with many Indians.

The film also preserved something deeply rooted in India — what many call Bharattva, the spirit of village life. Mud houses, farming communities, festivals, family bonds, spirituality, simplicity, and dependence on nature reflected an India many still recognize emotionally, even as it slowly changes. As modernization expands, many feel this sense of simplicity and community is gradually fading. We are also slowly forgetting the natural way of living — a life rooted in balance, togetherness, and respect for nature. Day by day, in the pursuit of materialistic comfort and enjoyment, humanity is harming the environment, often overlooking the long-term consequences. Perhaps that is why India still needs more Bhuvans — not cricket heroes, but ordinary people who value compassion, unity, ethics, cultural roots, environmental responsibility, and collective well-being.

At its core, Lagaan remains timeless because it speaks about hope. It reminds us that courage matters, unity matters, and ordinary people matter. It teaches that systems can be questioned ethically and peacefully. The film’s greatest lesson is this: division weakens people; unity strengthens them. The villagers in Lagaan came from different backgrounds, beliefs, fears, and personalities. Yet when injustice became unbearable, they stood together. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and even a British Christian woman united in the pursuit of fairness.

Even today, that message feels deeply relevant in a society often divided by caste, religion, language, or region. The film quietly reminds us that when ordinary people fight among themselves, systems grow stronger while communities become weaker. Humanity and unity remain among India’s greatest strengths.

Twenty-five years later, one uncomfortable question remains: Was Lagaan really only about the past? Even today our government is asking teen guna lagaan… let us see.. how?

Back then, villagers struggled under “teen guna lagaan” imposed by colonial rulers. Today, some people symbolically compare the modern tax system — Income Tax, CGST, SGST, and other taxes — to a different kind of “teen guna lagaan,” raising questions about fairness and accountability. Of course, taxation is complex, and public systems require funding. Roads, schools, hospitals, and welfare all depend on public revenue. But citizens also have the right to ask: Are our taxes being used honestly, efficiently, and in the right places — or wasted while some in power live in luxury, much like rulers of the past?

Many well-educated and intellectual people from different fields have suggested that reducing or abolishing certain taxes like Income Tax and GST could help common citizens grow financially, increase purchasing power, and improve overall economic well-being. The economy may be growing, no doubt — but per capita income, standard of living, and how an individual citizen actually feels in daily life matter the most. Growth alone is not enough if people still struggle to live with dignity and security.

For some people, this is why it feels more like a modern “teen guna lagaan.” The colonial rulers understood a simple psychology: if people lacked enough food and resources, they became weaker and less able to resist injustice. In a similar symbolic sense, today financial pressure leaves ordinary people with less freedom, less security, and less power to question systems. Some also draw parallels with power structures of the past — where decisions were controlled from the top by a few royal families and rulers. Today, powerful and wealthy networks hold disproportionate influence over systems, policies, and institutions, often operating behind structures that ordinary people cannot easily see or influence.

As divisions were once created in the name of religion, caste, or identity, similar divisions continue in new forms today. Whether one agrees or disagrees, citizens in a democracy have the right to ask difficult questions and demand transparency, accountability, and better governance.

This is where Lagaan still feels symbolic. Its lesson was never hatred or violence — it was courage, questioning injustice, unity, and peaceful resistance.

Democracy is not silence. Asking for transparency, accountability, and better governance is not wrong — it is the responsibility of every citizen, especially the youth.

India needs more Bhuvans today. Not heroes with superpowers, but ordinary people willing to ask questions respectfully, spread awareness, inspire trust, and work toward fairness and reform. The struggle today may not be against colonial rulers or through cricket. The real challenge is building a fair, aware, compassionate, and united society. If India wants meaningful progress, people cannot remain endlessly divided. Change happens when citizens stay informed, participate responsibly, support one another, and stand together for the larger good.

And even today, for our Tax System (Income Tax, CGST, SGST, etc) many still echo the symbolic cry:

“रे भैया, छूटे लगान, रे भैया, छूटे लगान, रे भैया, छूटे लगान…”

Yet the film still leaves us with one important question:

Which character are we choosing to become today?

Would we become a Bhuvan — or stand beside one when the time comes?

LAGAAN: At the present time in India, still continues. The sad part is that we cannot find enough Bhuvans willing to stand against the system — people who question unfairness, unite others, and stand courageously for what is right.

A call to the people of India — especially the youth.

Har sant kahe, sadhu kahe
Sach aur saahas hai jiske man mein
Ant mein jeet usi kee rahe…

Aaja re aaja re, aaja re aaja re
Bhale kithne lambe hon raste, ho
Thake naa tera ye tan, ho
Aaja re aaja re, sun le pukaare dagariyaa
Rahe naa ye raste tarasate, ho, too aaja re

Is dharti ka hai raaja too, ye baath jaan le too
Kathinaayee se takaraaja too, nahin haar maan le too

Mitawa, sun mitawa, tujko kya dar he re
Ye dharti apanee hai, apana ambar hai re

O mitawa, sun mitawa, tujko kya dar he re
Dharti apanee hai, apana ambar hai re
Too aaja re…